Need to spread awareness emphasised on AIDS day

PUNE, Dec 1: This year has seen a marked change in the struggle to fight the scrouge of AIDS. Rallies, and exhibitions apart, for the fir...

PUNE, Dec 1: This year has seen a marked change in the struggle to fight the scrouge of AIDS. Rallies, and exhibitions apart, for the first time, condom vending machines have made an appearance in the city. What is more, companies are increasingly recognising the need to prevent the rise of AIDS at the workplace.

Taking the lead in the AIDS prevention campaign, the Forbes Marshall today installed a condom vending machine developed by Dynavend Machines Pvt Ltd at their hospital in the factory premises to mark the World AIDS Day celebrations.

Jalinder Kamthe, Chairman of the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) today inaugurated the World AIDS Day and Family Health Awareness Campaign fortnight here today.

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Pandurang Pawar, Vice-Chairman of ZP presided over the function. District Collector Vijay Kumar Gautam emphasised the need to create an awareness about the disease amongst the younger generation.

An exhibition was organised by the Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) Hospital, Aundh to mark the World AIDS day. A seminar was also organised to mark the occasion.

Dr Keshavrao Tadas, medical superintendent called upon the AIDS affected families to work towards creating an awareness among the people instead of fearing possible consequences of the disease by contact with the patient.

Dr V K Joshi gave information on the various channels through which the disease could spread.

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Jeevan Asha, a registered charitable trust conducted a rally of around 1500 students of different schools. The rally was inaugurated by Pune Mayor Dattatreya Gaikwad.

Meanwhile, Forbes Marshall has installed the first condom machine developed by Dynavend Machines Pvt Ltd at their hospital in the factory premises.

Over 1000 students of various schools and junior colleges today participated in an AIDS awareness rally in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The rally which began from Chapekar Chowk, Chinchwad ended at the PCMC building. Municipal Commissioner B I Nagrale, standing committee chairperson Shamim Pathan later addressed the gathering.

The PCMC also installed two condom vending machines at Nigdi octroi post and at the Phugewadi octroi post, as part of the AIDS awareness programme for truck drivers who constitute the high risk group.

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A condom vending machine was installed at the Nigdi octroi post as part of the AIDS awareness programme for truck drivers who constitute the high risk group.